Opty 165 VS. Core2 VS X2

[Mellman]

I'm rebuilding my fileserver.

My current file server is a dual athlon MP 2400+ setup. Its nice, but i need to upgrade its not chugging fast enough for me anymore.

I use my server for backup video encodes and video capture, so while I leave most stuff running overnight, it'd be nice to not have to wait for it if i want something fast.

Pricing out specs on new motherboards (I require at least 1 PCI-X slot for my raid card, 2 is better )

Asus K8N-LR $220
Opteron 165 ~$160
Total: $380

Asus P5WDG2 WS Pro $330
E6400 $220
Total: $550

Asus M2N32WS Pro $290
Athlon X2 4600+ $230
Total: $520

Now since this is pretty much a server setup I won't be overclocking too much - mainly because i have doubts that the mobo will be able to handle it.

I think stock speeds the 4600+ and the E6400 are supposed to be about the same..and if i was spending $520 i'd just go to $550 and buy the P5WDG2 WS Pro.

But is the $170 in savings to get a slower opteron worth much?

I don't see myself upgrading this server to quad core anytime soon...however it'd be nice. Finding PCI-X motherboards is a royal PITA, but the raid card (LSI MegaRaid 300x8) is awesome and worth it.


so to sum it all up, is $170 worth the speed/performance/(upgradeability) from a opty 165 to a E6400?

 

[nyker96]

that depends on your needs, if you just serving stuff I think 165 is probably way more than enough. other two I would just take c2d for future proof.

 

[Markfw]

Why the $330 motherboard for the E6400 ? That should be your only choice....

 

[Mellman]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Why the $330 motherboard for the E6400 ? That should be your only choice....

Find me a cheaper core2duo board with a PCI-X slot and i'm all over it.

 

[Elfear]

The Asus P5WDG2 WS Pro is a great overclocker so it will give you that added benefit. I'm not sure how well the other boards oc. Wish I could give you more insight into the server aspect but I know the C2D will be quite a bit faster than the X2 when it comes to video encoding. There are benchmarks all over the place with C2D vs. X2 graphs. Here is just one I found.

If you're thinking about moving to quadcore sometime down the road it will be nice to just switch processors instead of, processor, motherboard, and ram (at least if you bought the Opteron 165).

 

[Markfw]

The QX6700 (quad conroe) fits in most quality C2D boards, and I am sure that that $330 board will work. In fact, I am considering dumping my dual Opteron,s and now that I see that board, it may be for me My LSI 1650 will work fine in it ! And I missed the fast you wanted PCI-X and I understand why you want it. One of my best reason is for my DLT.

 

[Mellman]

Originally posted by: Elfear
The Asus P5WDG2 WS Pro is a great overclocker so it will give you that added benefit. I'm not sure how well the other boards oc. Wish I could give you more insight into the server aspect but I know the C2D will be quite a bit faster than the X2 when it comes to video encoding. There are benchmarks all over the place with C2D vs. X2 graphs. Here is just one I found.

If you're thinking about moving to quadcore sometime down the road it will be nice to just switch processors instead of, processor, motherboard, and ram (at least if you bought the Opteron 165).

Wow...well the fact that you say the P5WDG2 is a great overclocker is pretty nice...

I guess I'm sold on it then. I also had teased the idea of buying an E6600 for my main rig (currently a E6400 @ 3Ghz) but its just a stupid mental block that the 2MB cache extra make a difference....when in fact they do - not a significant one.

Thanks guys! :-D

 

[Mellman]

WoW ZZF has the P5WDG2 WS Pro open box for $280!!! holy awesome deal batman Double SOLD!

 

[R64]

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